Aquavit

What groups say

Companies and celebrants book Aquavit's private rooms for set-menu dinners and events, with an events contact handling planning.

• One reviewer booked a private company dinner and worked with an events contact who handled planning and execution.
• Private events run on a set menu rather than the a la carte or tasting format used in the dining room.
• A holiday Julbord was served buffet style in a group dining room seating multiple parties.
• Reported pricing signals include roughly 300 dollars per person for the holiday buffet with tax and a required 20 percent gratuity.

Drawn from 70 Google reviews of Aquavit that mention a group, a private room or a celebration, read September 2026. The reviews below describe a group visit, private rooms and larger events first, with the critical ones kept in.

• private company dinner

  I've been to Aquavit a few times over the years. The most memorable experience was when I took our company for a private dinner. We worked with Nicole who was super helpful and accommodating for our event, which went off without a hitch and was enjoyed by everyone. Go for the chefs tasting menu, a private event, or a drink at the bar. You won't go wrong here

• private event dinner

  Beautiful place. Great service. I went for a set menu private event and was underwhelmed by the food. Boring salad to start, then forgettable salmon. Nice dessert, but again, not as special as I hoped considering the 2 Michelin stars in 2023.

• large party celebration

  Came to aquavit with a large party for a special occasion, and overall it was great. The food is exceptional, and at the end of the day, that’s what really matters. The Arctic birds nest is perhaps the greatest thing I have ever eaten, on top of it being a piece of art. The service was pretty poor for a restaurant of this standing, but that may be because we had a large party. Nevertheless, when you pay the money you do for an experience like this, you hope for something a bit more special. When I think of the “experience” I want from a restaurant like this, I’m not sure aquavit lived up to that, but the food was incredible and is worthy of the praise and price tag.

• holiday julbord seating

  By far, the worst dining experience I had in my entire life, regardless of their Michellin stars. I’m not trying to be cynical, and I can only speak for the Christmas Julbord experience, and not the prix fixe. I’m only leaving this review because I wish someone had warned me through the review before wasting $600+ for this, especially on a Christmas eve. My partner and I are so disappointed to the level that I cannot express fully. Here are some crucial facts out of many: 1) The “main dishes” were smoked salmon, chicken breast, and spared pork rib. There’s not much food variety for a buffet other than these along with some bread (which was tough) and salads as shown in first picture. All you can choose from is the table in the middle, which is mostly full with fish and salad, small table in front for desserts, and the small table in the back. 2) There’s no such thing as Michellin 2-star culinary experience. One can say that you can’t expect or compare the same quality as dine-in with a buffet, but the fact is that the price point is 300+ pp with taxes and required 20% gratuity, and anyone would expect at least some thought and effort in this “holiday celebration” more than short ribs and chicken breast. Julbord is supposed to be a Christmas feast or banquet. If you’re looking for any kind of quality ingredients, ambiance, presentation, service, and taste, it’ll certainly disappoint you by miles for what you’re getting at this price point. 3) The group dining room had 0 privacy and poor ambiance. It is so loud that I couldn’t hear the person in front of me, and it feels more like a school dining hall. Plus, there were small flies that flew and sat on my plates, which no one cared about. Overall, I felt like the restaurant was humiliating the customers with low-cost ingredients, small range of food selection, medium-quality at best tasting, a crowded group dining room, and yet an excessive amount of charge for their Michellin name. Will I ever return here for a second chance? No. Will I consider this a Michellin 2-star experience? No, not even $100pp will justify this poorly-designed experience.

• hosted event

  Fantastic experience. Attended an event here and got a chance to meet the chef. She is an inspiration and so talented. The food and service were top notch. It was a refreshing reprise from the busy Manhattan streets outside.

Good to know

High-end Scandinavian tasting and fixed-price menus served in a minimalist Nordic setting.

Hours, spend and amenities from Google. Private event hours and minimums are set by the restaurant.

Frequently asked questions

Does Aquavit have a private dining room?

Yes. Aquavit offers a private dining room for groups in Midtown East. Two private rooms; screen, projector, wifi.

How much does it cost to book a private event at Aquavit?

Guests at Aquavit typically spend $100+ per person on a regular visit, according to Google, before drinks and tip. A private room or group booking is usually priced on a food and beverage minimum that scales from that per-head figure rather than a flat room fee. Minimums run higher on Friday and Saturday nights and through December. Contact Aquavit for the current minimum and deposit terms.

When is Aquavit open?

Aquavit is open Monday to Thursday 12:00 to 1:30 PM, 5:00 to 9:00 PM, Friday 12:00 to 1:30 PM, 5:00 to 9:30 PM, Saturday 5:00 to 9:30 PM, and closed Sunday, serving lunch and dinner. The restaurant takes reservations for regular tables. Private rooms can often be booked outside these hours, including daytime events, so ask when you inquire.

What kind of restaurant is Aquavit?

Aquavit is a $$$$ Scandinavian restaurant in Midtown East, New York City, rated 4.6 stars across 1,329 Google reviews. Google describes it as: High-end Scandinavian tasting and fixed-price menus served in a minimalist Nordic setting. It has a wheelchair accessible entrance.

What do guests say about group dining at Aquavit?

Companies and celebrants book Aquavit's private rooms for set-menu dinners and events, with an events contact handling planning. One reviewer booked a private company dinner and worked with an events contact who handled planning and execution. Private events run on a set menu rather than the a la carte or tasting format used in the dining room. A holiday Julbord was served buffet style in a group dining room seating multiple parties. Reported pricing signals include roughly 300 dollars per person for the holiday buffet with tax and a required 20 percent gratuity. Reviewers praise: events contact made private dinner planning smooth; chef has greeted and met event guests; food quality and presentation praised across group visits; elegant, calm dining room that is not stuffy. Watch for: set-menu private event food called underwhelming for the price; service slipped with a large party; group dining room at holiday buffet was loud with no privacy. Based on 70 Google reviews of Aquavit that mention a group, a private room or a celebration.

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